Talking Wise | Supply Chain & Business Growth

Talking Wise | Supply Chain & Business Growth
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Business growth, supply chain, and logistics are at the heart of Talking Wise, the podcast about building a business without the wheels coming off. Explore the realities of self employment, practical operations management, and what it takes to scale with confidence.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 32: Mastering the lack of Mutuality of Obligation

    Discover why Mutuality of Obligation (MOO) matters, how to avoid costly HMRC challenges, and how to engage self-employed subcontractors with confidence. In this episode, Dan Richards, Darryl Oung, and Chloe Tierney-Martin break down one of self-employment's most critical, yet most misunderstood, pillars: the lack of Mutuality of Obligation. We unpack what MOO means in practice, how everyday working habits can quietly create legal liabilities, and what you can do straight away to get it right. You’ll learn: ✨ Mutuality of obligation and IR35 - What a lack of MOO actually means, and why it carries so much weight in IR35 and employment status decisions. ✨ Contracts vs reality - Why a “no obligation” clause isn’t enough on its own, and how repeated work offers can create an expectation of ongoing work. ✨ Daily habits that create obligation - Real examples of operational practices that silently tie you to offering or accepting work, and how to balance peak demand without creating them. ✨ Proving independence - How to evidence a lack of MOO in an HMRC enquiry, and the role financial risk and working for multiple contractors play. ✨ Consequences and training - The financial and legal penalties of getting it wrong, plus the guidelines to help your managers get it right. Tune in to stay compliant! Find more podcast events and resources: https://withwise.com/talking/ ------- 🔗 Connect with our guests: Dan Richards: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-richards/ Darryl Oung: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-oung-4b07341a/ Chloe Tierney-Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-tierney-martin/ ------- ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Teaser 1:05 Introduction 3:00 What a lack of Mutuality of Obligation means, and why it matters for IR35 and status 7:07 Contracts: does a “no obligation” clause protect your business? 11:25 When work is offered and accepted regularly: fixed-term engagements, ongoing expectations and IR35 risk 14:28 Proving a lack of MOO in an HMRC enquiry 15:40 Everyday habits that silently create an obligation to offer or accept work 18:15 The operational impact of getting it wrong 18:40 Why contract clauses fall short when depot practices tell a different story 21:03 Balancing peak delivery demands without creating an expectation of ongoing work, and whose job it is to educate managers 23:00 Financial risk, working for multiple main contractors and proving true independence 28:40 The consequences of getting it wrong: how HMRC uses MOO in tribunals, and the financial and legal penalties 30:22 Key operational guidelines for training managers on a lack of MOO 33:18 How we help clients ensure a lack of MOO is present in their workforce 34:05 Wrapping up the episode

  2. Oct 21

    Episode 31: Wise Answers | The top self-employment questions

    Discover how to stay fully compliant, avoid costly HMRC penalties, and manage self-employed subcontractor operations with confidence. In this premier episode of Wise Answers, Dan and Chloe break down the legal and operational essentials that main contractors and logistics companies must know about working with self-employed drivers and subcontractors. We break down key compliance frameworks, from proving genuine self-employment and navigating IR35 rules to protecting your logistics business from serious financial liabilities. You'll learn: ✨ Self-employment & IR35 compliance - How to legally distinguish self-employed subcontractors from direct employees and draft bulletproof "outside IR35" contracts. ✨ Substitution and scheduling rules - How the "Right of Substitution" operates in practice and why enforcing rigid shift schedules or set routes risks triggering HMRC misclassification penalties. ✨ Insurance and liability traps - What specific policies (goods in transit, public liability, hire & reward) are required and who carries financial liability for damaged property, stolen cargo, or depot injuries. ✨ Subcontractor onboarding and auditing - Step-by-step guidance on pre-route document collection, compliant Right-to-Work verification, Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)/VAT status checks, and license re-verification. Find more podcast events & resources: https://withwise.com/talking/ ------- 🔗 Connect with our guests: • Dan Richards: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-richards/ • Chloe Eaton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-eaton-0b751392/ ------- ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Teaser 1:00 Introduction 3:15 What distinguishes a self-employed driver/subcontractor from a direct employee in legal terms? 5:10 How can companies make sure their contracts are legally classified as "outside IR35"/genuine self-employment? 8:25 What is the financial penalty if HMRC determines subcontractors are actually disguised employees? 10:28 Does imposing a set shift schedule or route layout compromise a driver's self-employed status? 12:55 How does the "Right of Substitution" work, and must we accept a replacement driver sent by a subcontractor? 14:45 What insurances are good to have in place? (e.g., goods in transit, public liability, hire and reward) 16:10 Does standard commercial vehicle insurance cover a driver carrying goods for hire? 17:10 If a subcontractor damages customer property during delivery, who carries the financial liability? 19:35 What happens to cargo liability if a subcontractor's vehicle is stolen while on a delivery route? 21:45 Are we liable for personal injuries sustained by self-employed drivers while loading/unloading at our depots? 25:00 What specific documents should they collect before letting a subcontractor take their first route? 27:00 How should right-to-work checks on self-employed drivers be performed without establishing an employer-employee relationship? 28:20 How should they re-verify driving licenses and right-to-work status? 31:05 How does a main contractor verify that a subcontractor is officially registered as self-employed with HMRC (or holding a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)/VAT number)? 33:25 What should a main contractor do if a driver’s license or visa expires while actively taking routes for our business? 34:23 Wise or otherWise ------- 6:55 Fact check: IR35 off-payroll rules apply to medium and large private sector businesses exceeding 2 of 3 criteria: turnover >£10.2m, balance sheet total >£5.1m, or >50 employees.

  3. Oct 13

    Episode 30: Speed vs. security: Scaling your business with automated checks

    Discover how the Wise platform unifies critical compliance checks for logistics businesses, streamlining operations while keeping risk at zero. Dan Richards is joined by Darryl Oung (Head of Compliance) and Kate Harrison (Head of Product Management) dive into Wise’s automated compliance functionality. They discuss why automated checks were built, how the technology works behind the scenes, and how combining product innovation with deep compliance expertise protects logistics operators. We explore how modern technology is transforming logistics management and why relying on "gut feeling" is no longer enough to stay compliant. ✨ The importance of automated checks in logistics - Moving past manual errors and slow onboarding processes ✨ The key benefits of using automated technology - Automating essential subcontractor checks ✨ The penalties - The financial and operational fallout of non-compliance, from Right to Work violations to fraud ✨ The power of unified compliance - How the Wise platform seamlessly handles Driving Licence verifications, Right to Work (RTW), Confirmation of Payee, and VAT validation in one central place Find more podcasts at: https://www.withwise.com/talking 🔗 Connect with our guests:  Dan Richards: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-richards/  Kate Harrison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-harrison-39951594/  Darryl Oung: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-oung-4b07341a/  ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:26 - Why automated compliance checks matter in logistics 03:07 - Why manual compliance fails when scaling businesses 04:29 - Navigating the ever changing government regulations 05:40 - Why you can't rely on "gut feeling" for compliance 06:32 - The real cost of slow subcontractor onboarding 07:47 - Key benefits of automated compliance: speed & accuracy 08:11 - Why we partnered with TrustID (DVSP) 11:38 - What HMRC & the Home Office expect from a DVSP 14:27 - Penalties & risks of Right to Work (RTW) non-compliance 16:27 - The link between Right to Work Checks & modern slavery 18:29 - Preventing fraud: The imposter check 19:49 - The danger of delaying your compliance process 20:26 - Data Privacy & GDPR in automated verification 21:13 - Why data security beats functionality 23:14 - How automated driving licence checks work in the Wise Platform 25:30 - Automated driving licence checks can reduce insurance premiums 27:16 - Confirmation of Payee & VAT validation checks explained 34:04 - The power of unifying your compliance checks 36:48 - Final takeaway: Don’t cut corners on compliance

  4. Oct 5

    Episode 29: How our Account Managers are here to drive your success

    In the final episode of our Account Management series, Head of Account Management Chloe Eaton is on the pod with Account Managers Ted Bignell and Savvy Basra for their podcast debut! In sales, no two businesses look identical when they sign up - so why treat them with a rigid, template approach once they’re onboarded? At Wise, we don't! The team breaks down how we deliver a customised service, build deep trust, and adapt to every client's unique preferences to pave the way for a successful long-term partnership. Contact us to learn how our Account Managers can support your business!

  5. Sep 29

    Episode 28: Community, not just a company: Why client events matter

    We're a community, not just a company! At Wise, we build more than software - we build a genuine community. In this episode, we explore why client events aren't just an excuse for a nice lunch, but a core strategy that not only strengthens client relationships, but sets us apart from competitors because we really do care about the businesses we partner with. Join our marketing, account management, and sales leads as we pull back the curtain on how we turn casual gatherings into high-impact partnerships that really make a difference.

  6. Sep 22

    Episode 27: Catching damage before it costs you with Chex.AI

    Fleet functionality is coming VERY soon! 🚗⚡ You’ve been asking for it for years, and we’re excited to announce that full fleet management functionality will be live in Wise this winter. In this episode, we’re joined by Muhammad and Amir, founders of Chex.AI, to show how traditional paper checklists and quick walkarounds leave businesses exposed to massive hidden repair bills, claim disputes, and admin headaches. We break down how Chex.AI is changing the game for vehicle inspections - using smart guided capture, live anti-fraud image verification, and automated damage detection to spot dents, scratches, and wear across 163 vehicle parts with up to 99% accuracy before a driver even hits the road. And the best part is, it is it will be integrated directly into Wise, keeping your entire workforce and fleet management under one roof.

  7. Sep 16

    Episode 26. Don't get fined: Understand the latest Right to Work changes with TrustID

    The biggest changes to Right to Work checks are happening now. If your business engages with workers, contractors, agency staff, or uses online matching services, you need to be prepared. The Wise platform integrates directly with TrustID - a government-certified Right to Work provider - and we have teamed up with their expert team to bring you the latest information on: The key Right to Work changes that are now into effect How Digital Right to Work checks work What extended liability means for your business  Why standard digital checks do not meet government standards (and why TrustID’s government-registered verification process does) How to use integrated TrustID functionality directly within your Wise platform Whether you feel completely confident in your Right to Work checks or aren't sure where to start, this episode will ensure your business remains compliant, avoids £60,000 Home Office fines, and helps you leverage Wise and TrustID technology effortlessly.

  8. Sep 8

    Episode 25: De-risking your business: how Wise' Sales and Compliance team protect you

    We're revealing how our Sales and Compliance teams work together from day one to protect your business from costly status claims and operational blind spots.  What you’ll learn in this episode: - How your local Account Manager and compliance team partner up before your first call so zero detail gets lost in translation - How the compliance training sessions are handled, who needs to attend, and why skipping this step leaves you at risk  - Why off-the-shelf contracts fail, critical red flags to avoid (like notice periods and obligation wording), and how fast we can roll out approved contract and policies - The legal danger of providing company-sourced vans for free, how improper deductions trigger tribunal claims, and how the Wise platform enforces compliance on the ground. - Common recruitment wording mistakes that expose you to risk, plus a clear breakdown of Mutuality of Obligation, Direction & Control, Substitution, and Financial Fundamentals. Looking for this level of support or does you current operation need an audit? Reach out to us to get your existing contracts, policies, or job ads reviewed by our specialists! https://withwise.com/book-a-demo/

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Business growth, supply chain, and logistics are at the heart of Talking Wise, the podcast about building a business without the wheels coming off. Explore the realities of self employment, practical operations management, and what it takes to scale with confidence.

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